Electric signaling system.



PATENTED 13.4 1908. J. G. NOLEN. FE ELECTRIC SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.11, 1904.

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.J. G. NOLEN. ELECTRIC SIGNALIN G SYSTEM.

A PPLIGATION FILED MAR.11. 1904.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0. 878 013. PATENTED FEB. 4 1908. v J. G. NOLEN. ELECTRIC SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR 11 1904 7 SHEETS-SHEET}.

III II II llll C ames 6: 20/6i7 No. 878,013. PATENTED FEB; 4, 1908.

, J. G. NOLEN. ELECTRIC SIGNALIN G SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 11. 1904.

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J. G. NOLEN.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 11, 1904.

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No. 878,013. PATENTED FEB. 4, 1908.

J. G. NOLEN. ELECTRIC SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 11. 1904.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

W 2 pace 5*.- I I y/a u/w No. 878,013. PATENTED FEB. 4, 1908.

- v J. G. NOLEN.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLIGATIONI'ILED MAR. II 1904.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7- Egg-8 a (Yul/H2701? I dazmesf 770/671 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES e. NOLEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSl GNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

OF ONE-HALF TO FRANK B. COOK, OF CHICAGO, LILLINOIS, AND ONE-HALF TO AUTOMATIC FIRE PROTECTION COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING SYSTEM.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it/known that I, JAMEs-G. NoLE'N, a

citizen of the United States of-Americ and resident of Chicago, Cook county, Il-inois,

haveinvented a certain new and useful Imrovement in Electrical Signaling Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention contem lates an improved for use in supervising the valves of an automatic fire extinguisher system.

In -a signaling system characterized by my invention, a box or signal-transmlttmg I device :is employed, said box containing normally wound -up clockwork, suitable make-and-break devices, and a releasing magnet. This box is connected with the signal-receiving apparatus at-the central 'st a tion, and also with one or more'o'f the valves of the automatic fire extinguisher system. Preferably, the valves with the box constitute part ofa normally closed or charged line circuit including the line connection between the box and thecentral station, and including a bat tery or'source of current at said station.

The normally charged line circuit thus provided with parallel conductors running from one valve to the other, also includes the ,windings of the said releasing magnet, saidv magnet being preferably provided with four differentially wound coils. In this way, the releasing magnet remains normally denergized, notwithstanding the constant flowof current through the line circuit which includes these coils and the two parallel valve conductors. Each of the saidparallel conducting paths included in the line-circuit is provided with a suitable make-and-break device, and with .such rovision it will be s een'that the two paral el valve conductors constitute parallel portions of a normally charged signaling-circuit. 1 Also, there is inclosed within the box a third, and preferably subarallel conducting path, this third para lel conducting path being connected between two of the magnet-coils, so that it is only in parallel with the'external-portion of gne of the other'parallel conducting paths. Thus there are, at the substation where the I boxis located, at least for signaling purposes. .valve conductors constituting'the external Patented Feb. 4, 1908.

three parallel eon-v ducting'paths, each of which is capable of maintaining the continuity of the line circuit In other words, the

parallel conducting paths can be employed successively as'a part of the line or signaling circuit, providing these two paths are not broken. But should either one of these two parallel conducting paths be broken, the

mechanism of the box is, by reason of the l three parallel conducting paths within the box, still capable of transmitting a signal to the central station over'a suitable line circuit; With this arrangement, each valve.

can be provided with a switch of such charactor that the valves cannot be closed without closing the switch, and thereby not only rupturing or opening at least one of the parallel conductors, but also establishing a cross-connection between the two parallel conductors. Obviously, and as the releasing magnet is d fferentiallywound, the closing of the valve in this manner is accompanied .by a switching operation which results in the unbalancing of the flow of current through the said releasing magnet; and such unbalanci'ng of the flow of current through the diffe'rentially wound coils results in the energizing 'ofthe releasing magnet and the consequent release of the normally wound-up clockwork. The clockwork, when released in this manner, transmits the properjsignal to the central station, thereby notifying the attendant at such station that a valve at the substation. from which the signal came has been tampered with. Also, should either one or both of the parallel valve conductors be accidentally ruptured, the releasing magnet is energized and the clockwork released;

for should evenjboth external conductors be broken, there is still the said thirdiparallel conductor, which permits sufiicient current to pass to energize the mag-net and release "the normally wound-up clockwork. Furthermore, with theprovis-ion whereby the valveoperated switches are capable of establishing a cross or short-circuitingconnection between the two parallel conductors, it is obvious that even the malicious placing of a jumper. about the point in the conductor which is "opened bythe switch, so that'the operation of the switch would not. in fact.

Open are preferably open such conductor, will not ermit the valve to be improperlyclosed without such actbeing accompanied bythe transmission of a si nal; for even b a l in 21- um e to the gonductor, as stated a ibi; cl sing of the valve is still' accompanied by the establishment of a cross or short-circuit connection between the two parallel conductors; and. such a cross-connection is amplysufficient to unbalance the flow of current and cause' the releasing-magnet to become energized, and thereby release the clockwork. Also,; when my invention is employed as a valvesupervising system, the threaded stem of.

each valve is referably provided with a 'traveling nut'w 'ich is connected with a flat slide working in a frame or guideway. Upon-- this flat plate or slide the words Shut and laced. Suitable provision is then made W ereby the word Shut is exposed when the valve is closed, and the word Open, when the valve is in its normal or open condition. Also, with the valvethus provided with an indicating device, the switch contacts for opening one of the parallel conductors and establishing a cross-connection between the two conductors are conveniently inclosed' in a box mounted preferably in front of the said plate or slide, the movable contact of the switch being carriedby the'said slide. Thus the attachment for the valve is in the nature of a combined switch and indicating device.

The nature and advantages of my invention will however, hereinafter more fully app631.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagranrshowing several of the said valves connected with the said box, and also showing the latter connected with the battery and the recorder 'or si nal-receiving de-' vice, located at the central station. Fig. 2

' is a d-ia ram of the box and valve connectionst at is to say, a diagram ofthe circuit connections at the substation only.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front elevation of the box or cover removed for the purpose of" showing the releasing-magnet, the normally wound-up clockwork and. adjacent parts. Figs. 4 and 5 are opposite side elevations of the mechanism shown in Fig. Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section of an automatic fire extinguisher valve'embodying the princi ple of my invention, and adapted for use in connection with the other apparatus, as shown in Figs. 1 and Fig. 7 1s a vertical section on line 77' H1 Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a horizontal section on line 8-8 in Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a perspective of the parts constituting the-indicating device of an attachment "for thevalve. .f

As thus illustrated, and iiefe'rring to Fig '1,

it will be seen that my improved electrical signaling system includes a box A, termed by me a master-box,' and connected I locally with the valves B. Also, as shown, the said'box is connected with the central stationL-at which are located the recorder-or the battery D, the latter. being connected 'andgadapted for constantly supplying current to the line-circuit. The line connection between the box and the central station can be'of any suitable or desired character. But the connections between the box and the ductors 1 and 2, both of which, however, constitute part of the normally charged or closed line circuit, In other words these conductors 1 and 2,consti'tut'e parallel" concuit extending from the central station through'the box, and thence from one valve ing at which the box is located. Before describing the details of construction, and the exact mode of operation of the'apparatus, it maybe stated generally that should'one of the valves shown he closed, so as to cut off the waten from the] sprinkler-heads,- and thereby destroy theefliclency of the'system,

each'valve, will operate to first open'the conductor 1, and'to then, if the valveis entirely closed, establish'a-cross' or short-circuiting connection between the conductors 1' and '2.

current through the through, the dlfierentially-wound coils of the releasing magnet in the box A. When thus unbalanced, the coils of the .relea'sin -magnet parallel conductor in the box is sufiicient to energize the releasing magnet, and thereby It will be seen, however, that with only one available signaling ath extending between and connecting the me terminals, a signal to from a signal indicating a closing of a valve.

.-inafter more fully appear.

Referringfnow to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the mechanism ofthe box A comprises normally wound-up clockwork a, of any suitable or .desired construction, and ada ted, when released, to rotate'the'toothed dis s or ,other suitable signal-receiving device C, and

the switch B mounted as an attachment on This unbalances the normally e ual flow of arallelcon uctors and energize the latter sufficiently to e ect are ly, the flow of current through the remaining cause the clockwork 'to transmit a signal.

indicate trouble of this character is difierent The'means whereby the troublessignals differ from the alarm-signals, will, however, herevalves preferably consist of parallel conducting paths of anormally closed line cirto the other through the substation or build a I i the armature can be limited by adjustable stops a andcf On the front plate, 0/ 3- of the clockwork, a pairof insulated contact fingers a and a are mounted and provided with bent end portions normally-engaglng in notches or depressions in the peripheries of the wheels at and a these relatively long contact springs are a couple, of relatively .short insulated" and stationary contacts-a and a l. Immediately below the armature ahthedouble-core releasing-magnet A is mounted in any suita able or desired manner, and adapted, when "energized, to attract its armature. Also,

there is a resistance coila included within the internal equipment of the box A, this appear, constituting the third parallel conre'sistance-coil, as will hereinafter more fully ducting path.

Thetermlnalsof the valve conductor l'are connected with the binding posts a? and a,

' As illustrated, the termina are connected with the binding posts a and While the terminals of the conductor Zare connected with the binding Iposts a and a. s of the coil (1 01 Thus the coil a, is, as previously stated only in arallel with the external portion of. .one of t 1e conducting pathsthat is to say,-

only with the wire or conductor 1. v The line I wires 3 and 4 are connected with the binding posts or line terminals c and a. The

sprin -shaft (Z25 can beprovided with an arm a" a apted to engage the stops a and a, which latter cons-tltutes the means for limit ing the winding and unwinding movements of the clockwork. The gearing between the shaft (L and the. shaft a, upon which latter the disks or wheels (1 and a are mounted,

-may be of such character that the partial" rotation of the spring-shaft will cause anywhere from one to a nnrnber of rotations on the art of the'shaft a and the make-and brea wheels. This, however, can be changed or modified to suit the conditions and requirements of any particular case.

or desired construction. Preferably, however, the valve is provided with a sliding gate b adapted to be moved up and downby means of the rotary valve stem or screw 11 it being understood that this'screw It will eld in its normal or raised position by Normally 1 engaging rring now toFigs fi to 9 inclusive, it will-be seen that the valves B may be of any suitabl .propriate design or construction,

is mounted at the tOP 'Of the valve-casing structure for rotary movement, but is heldagainst endwise axial movement. It is, of course, the lower threaded portion N of said stem, which, when rotated, causes the gate The outer threadb to move In and down. ed portion is, however, employed solely for the pur ose of moving the traveling nut I) up and 'own. This nut b isattached to or formed integral with a vertically disposed slide or plate I), which latter works in the guide-way or frame I)". This frame or guide-v way has its lower end portion secured to the valve casing many sultable manner, and is preferably formed 'withyertically and oppositely arranged grooves adapted to receive the edges of the plate 6 -Upon this slide or plate the words fShut and Open may be placed, as shown in' F-ig. 9. As shown, the

plate is fully concealed except at the point where the opening I) is formed in the guide--.

way or frame in which the plate slides. Thus,

when the 'valve is in its normal position, as shown, the slide or plate 6 1s up, and the word Open exposed by the opening I); but should the valve be closed,'then the movement of the valve stem necessary for so doing will cause the nut-b to travel down the stem and carry the slide or platedown to a point where the word Shut will'be exposed by the opening b. In this way, a glance at the valve will be sufficient to enable an attendant to know whether the valve is open or closed. The attachment thus provided for the valve is' not only a visual indicatingdevice for indieating the condition of the valve, but also a switching. device forv effecting a switching operation when the valve is closed. In other words, theattachment to the. valve is in the nature of a combined visual indicator and an 5 electric switch.

The switching functions of the attach ment are performed by the movable contact I)", and the stationary contacts I)", bl", b, and

b". Itwill be seen that the upper contacts b and b are mounted on the inding ,posts I), b, and that the contact I) is connected both with the binding posts I): and b the contact b being also electricallyconnected with the binding 0st I). tzuit b is preferab ly in the natureof a pin, as shown in Fig. 6, and is mounted on the u per end-portion of the slide or late b an cured in place by the nut Preferably,

the. contact If supports a seat If", between 0 which and th.e seat I) a strong spring I) is normally coin-pressed. It will be seen that the said upper seat of the spring is secured to the to wall of a suitable boxor inclosure b.

and is provided as a means for inclosing the electrical contacts, and at the same time concealing the 'up'pierportion-of the plate or slide. The

.front of the box can, of course, be'made re -13o I The movable con- 5 his box orinclosur'e can be of any ap- 12E,

movablefs'o as to permit access to the con-' tacts; v

Referring now toFig'. 2 of the drawings, it

will be seen that the contacts I), b, and b normally maintain the continuity of the valve conductor 1, and that the contact b of eachswitch is connected 'withthe conductor 2. The coils 5 and 6 of the differentially wound 1 releasing magnet are connected between the i tween the binding-postsa andai", while the fourth ,coil 8 is connected between the binding posts a and a, tlllS latter connection also includin the contacts a and amg-lt is 1 therefore evident that the, conductor ,1, together with. the coils 7 and'8 and the contacts c and a, provide a second normally closed conducting path betwee'n the line terparallel conducting pat minals or binding posts a and Also, as

will be observed, the high resistance coil a connected in series -with the coils 7 and 8',

but in parallel with the external portion'of the conducting path including the conductor permanently closed and this third parallel conducting ath, which is in the na- -1, constitutes a third and ture of a 'sub-paral el conductor, as it does not parallel the full len th of the other p aral-,

lel conductors, is whol y inclosed'within the master-box A. The coils 5, 6, 7 and sha be'of any suitable resistance, say 75 ohms each. The coils (1 4 may then be of SOD-ohms resistance. This" difierencein resistance is sufficient to prevent; enough current, front- I; flowing through the coil a, when the system is in its normal condition, to preclude all possibilit of a. materially unequal flow of current t ough' the coils of the releasing- 4K, magnet, and the consequent unbalancing of the latter. 1 v 4 Now suppose that a valve is closed. The

actof rotating the valve-stein causes the con-I tact b to move downwardly from itsposition between the contacts I) and b 9,.th-us-rupturing' or opening the. conductor 1.

, should the valve be thus only partially closed,

it-will be seen, that the gap or openingprd' duced intheconductor 1 issu'flicient to 111 vbalance the releasing magnet: .iT-he, releas- 'ing magnet, when thus energized, attracts its armature and thereby-releases the normally wound-'up'clockwork. The clockwork when thus-released operatesthe niake-ande' break devices, which results, of course,"in the transmission of a. signal I over the line to the central station; and this signaling circuit first includes the contacts 02 and a", the conductor 2, and the coils 5 and 6, the contacts a and a" remaining open by reason :of the -tion necessary to produce a signalin .Hence, in the case of'a double brea in the b9 and 6 01? one of the valve switches.

Even

cam-like or raised'peiipheral paibn'a bftiif cont'act'whee'l a. ter; this, the contacts a and a" remaino en,- owing to the pro-- vision of the 'camdi e orraisedlperipheral portion a, on the wheel cfi and the signaling action is continued overf-a line circuit 1I1Cl-11d' I ing: the contacts a), a thecoils Land 8' and the high resistance a If desired, the cldc'k- Work can be of such character as 'to-again're volve the two make-and-break wheels, thereaa repetiti'on'ofithe signalingby producing action just described. V Now suppose that dentallybroken or ru tured. In such case it is evident that the slgnaling action thereby;

the conductor 1 is acciproduced is identical with that resulting from either the partial or complete closingofa valve.. But suppose, however, that both,

.valve conductors are either accidentally or maliciously broken. Then it is evident that 'only the contacts a and-a are employed in transmitting .a signal to indicate adouble break in the valve conductors, there being no available path over which the, contacts a,

anda can produce the make'-andbreakac action.

valve conductors, a signal is transmitted over aline circuit including the contacts a, a,

the magnet coils 7, 8, and'the resistance a. Suppose also that a jumper wire or short-- circuit is placedin the conductor 1 in such,

manner as to' extend around the contacts in such case, -it is evident that the valve can:

the flow of current through the. releasing magnet. This'is true for the-reason that the valve when completely closed causes th con-. tact,- b to move into engagement wit the contacts I) and'b thereby establishing'a cross or short circuiting connectionfbetween Even I not'be completelyiclosed without setting up j conditions of such character'asto unbalance theconductors ,1 and' Z'.v In other words,'th e establishment of a cross-connection of, this kind permits the current to flow, forex'ample, around the-,coil-B, rather than through the coils 7 and 8 in series; and. one winding of the magnet being. thus sh'ortcircuited,,it'islevi dent that the magnet will be energized/fluid" cientlyto attract its armature and thereby "release the nOrmallyWound-up clocliiwork.

The-signal transmitted-as a result of trouble of this kind will'b'e identical with thellsignal transmitted toindi'cate the closing "of a'valve )without the intr'o'd'uctior'i of the 'jurn er or shuntconnection in-the-conductor 1 with the exception, however, that the second i, round of the s'ignalis transmitted through 'the""c,'on-

ductor ,1 rather than through the resistance 01- When both valve conductors are broken or ruptured, the current from the battery at" the central st'ation then only flowsthrouqh theicoils 7 and 8 and the resistance a. The

in this way, it Wilhb'e seen'that theresist 1-110;

iso

a serves as a permanently closedparallel connection for energizing the releasing-magnet, regardless of the nature of the disturbance in the valve circuits, and that it also -5 serves as a part of the line'circuit over which either all or ap'ortion of 'the signal is transmitted, according to the nature of the disturb-'- ance in the normally chargedvalve circuits. Thus, it is readily apparent that no-va'lve in the normally char ed 'line circuit can betamperedwith wit out a signal 'bein immediately communicated to the centra station. Also, itis evident that the local conductors of the normally charged valve circuit cannot be accidentally or maliciously broken without the immediate transmission. of a trouble signal to the central station. Furthermore, the valve switches are of such characterand thewires are so arranged, that even the placing of a ju er or shunt connection in the conductor w ich is opened by the valve will not enable an attendant or any. other person to maliciously close a valve without causing the transmission of a signal.

I do not herein broadly claim the association of two transmitter pens with parallel branches of. the circuit, nor the division of the magnet windings between such branches, as these ideas areshown and claimed inmy earlier applicatiohsfNe. .1. 5 5,525, filed May 4, 1903 and No. 195,500 filedFeby, 26,1904; I claim as my invention: 1. An electric signaling system, com rising a box havingnormally wound-up'c 00kwork and a releasing-magnet, a central source of current and signal-receiving a'p aratus connected with said box, a pluralityo sign ale initiating devices, said magnet having four differential windings connected with said 40 signal-initiating devices by parallel conductors, and'a resistance-coil.connected in parallel with .oneof said conductors and in series with. two of said windings, there beinga normally char ed circuit including said wind ings and parallel conductors, 2. An electrical signaling system, compris-.' ing a box having normally wound-up clockwork and a'releasing-magnet, a centralized source of current and signal-receivingape paratus connected with said box,- and a plurality of valve-operated switches, said releasing-magnet having differential windings connected bypar'allel conductors with said switches, therebeing a normally charged circuit including said wi'i'i'dingsand parallel conductors. I.

3. An electrical signaling system, com rising a box having normally'fwoundmp c ock ,work' and a releasing-magnet, acentralized source of current and 1 s1gnalreceiving ap' 1 para-tus, and 'avalve-operated switch havingnormallyo en contacts, said magnet havin 'differentia windings connected by aralle -prising'a box inclosin rnechamsm, a central conductors with said switch, there eing. a

' normally charged circuit including-said windings and para el conductors.

- 4.]An electrical signaling system, ,comprising a box having normally wound-up clockwork and a releasingmagnet, a cen tralized source of current. and s1gnalrece1ving apparatus connected. with said box, a

fire extinguisher system .valve, a switch associated withsaid valve and adapted to be operated in the manipulation of the valve, said magnet having four: difierential windings connected by two parallel-conductors with said switch, there being a normally charged circuit including the said windings and parallel conductors.

5.-An electrical signaling system, includa ing a box having normally wound-up clockwork and a releasing-magnet, a source of I current and signal-receiving apparatus at. .the central station, suitable line connection between the saidbox and the central station,

a plurality of signal-initiating devices, said magnet having four differential windin s connected by two parallel conductors Wit said signal-initiating devices, and a resistance-coil of relatively high resistance as compared with the resistance of said windings,

the said resistancecoil being connected in parallel with one of'saidsconductors and in series with two of said windings, there beingv a normally charged line circuit including said windings and parallel conductors.

'6. An electrical signaling. system, comprising a box having normally wound-up *clockwork and a releasing-magnet, a source of current and signal-receiving apparatus at a central station, twoparallel line conductors extending from the. central station and terminating at the box, a plurality of signalinitiating devices, twonormall closed make and-break devices operated y the clockduct'ors wit said signal-initiating devices,

and a relatively high resistance connected in work, the said magnet having four differential s connected by parallel conof said make-and-break devices being con nected inseries with two of said windingsand one of said pjarallelconductors, one of sald-make-and-break devices being also connected in series wlth said resistance-coil, and

there being a normally charged line-circuit 1 devices and parallel conductors.

signal-receiving apparatus connected with said box, a fire extinguisher system valve,

a' switch associated with said valve and;

.including said windings and make-and-break adapted to be operated thereby, and two parallel conductors connecting said switch there being a normallycharged circuit including said parallel conductors and including also the connection between the box and the signal-receiving. apparatus. 4

8. The combination of a box inclosing normally wound-up clockwork and a releas- "ing-magnet, a centralized source of current signal-receiving apparatus connected with,

the box, a fire extmguisher system valve, a switch associated with said valve and provided with normally closed and normally open contacts, a pair of parallel conductors connectings'aid switch with the coils of said ings and the said aralle conductors.

magnet, the ma net being 'diflerentially wound, said switc when operated from its normal position being adapted to open one of said parallel conductors and establish a vcross-connection betweenthe two parallel conductors, and there being a normally charged circuit includin the magnet-windsaid magnet havin four jdiflerentlal wind-' ings, there being a so a relatively highreslstance-coil connected in series with two of said'windings and in parallel with the other two windin s.

10. An e ectrical signaling system, com- 7 ,Illinois, this 9th day of March, 1904.

prising a central source of current supply,

7 a signal receiving a paratus, a' signal transmittin box, provi ing electrically operated contro' ling means, suitable circuit connectionsfor said parts including a pair of parallel conductors ,operativelyconnectedwith the transmitter controlling means and extending to an area to be protected, and a valve operated switch associated with said parallel conduztor, said switch being arranged and adapted, when 0 erated, to open one of said conductors an establish a cross connection between said two conductors.

11. In a system of'the class described, a

. signal transmitter comprising two make and break devices, a motor device for actuating said make and break devices, and a magnetically controlled controller for said motordevices, signal responsive apparatus, a main circuit connecting said transmitter and responsive apparatus, two branches extending from said. main circuit to the area to be supervised, and including therein in balanced relations the coils of the transmitter controlling magnet, and including also the two make and break devices, means associated' with the device to be supervised arranged when actuated to rupture one of said branches and subsequently establish a cross between said branches, and means establishing a constant relatively high resistfance shuntaround the portion of one of said branches extending to the area to be supervised.

Signed by me at Chicago, Cook county,

JAMES G. NOLEN. Witnesses: SEVERINUS B. OHABQWSKI, WM. A. HARDERS.. 

